Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Anxiety...anyone Else?

glutenfreeinminnesota

Recommended Posts

glutenfreeinminnesota Contributor
glutenfreeinminnesota
Posted

Sorry this is long...but I have Celiacs...I have heard it can cause anxiety, but eventually goes away after being on a gluten-free diet? I have had a stupid fear of throwing up in public for at least ten years...I actually never have thrown up in public...I am not afraid to throw up...just worried about doing it in public, when bathrooms or exits aren't close by, so much that I make myself sick in public just thinking about it! My heart starts racing and I start to sweat...then I get queezy. The stupid thing is I never have even done it in public! I know it's all in my mind, and I have had really good moments where I force myself to go into public and just deal with it, and I have always gotten through it. We have Viking season tix (bathroom lines are SOOOOO long!)...but I had to request aisle tix. I love flying and going places, but hate taking off and landing because I can't get out of my seat. Anyways...I used to worry about D in public, and not being close to a bathroom, but now I hardly have D since I know what's wrong :D so that's not an issue anymore...but now the fear of throwing up in public seems to remain. Would anti-anxiety pills help this? Or will anxiety about this eventually go away maybe, as my intestine continue to heal? I can handle it sometimes...but also avoid situations where I know I will be stuck sitting in a place with lots of people..and no bathrooms nearby. I don't have great health insurance, so can't afford a psych of any kind...anyways...any thoughts!!?? Anyone else out there even have this problem?? Thanks!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


sahm-i-am Apprentice
sahm-i-am
Posted

Now that I think about it, I did have crazy anxiety when I was on gluten. I would lie awake at night and think up scary situations that my family and I "might" get into one day, and what would I do about it. Or I would listen for every little sound in the house and think a burglar was trying to break in. Or I would over-analyze something my daughter said and blow it out of proportion and worry. Oh yeah, gluten can do 'wonders' to a person. I have been gluten free for 5 months and don't do that anymore. I also have calmed down about my claustrophobia although I don't think I'll go spelunking anytime soon!

How long have you been gluten-free? I would think it should ease up soon. I mean, so many people have brain fog with gluten, so why not heightened anxiety? It makes sense.

I have been thinking about putting my dog on a gluten free diet to see if I can ween him off his puppy-Prozac. He is highly anxious without and and impossible to live with. And gluten free dog food has to be cheaper than his pills! ;)

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Anxiety is very natural, especially in public places. Be diligent with your diet and you symptoms should subside. But, it's common that neurological symptoms recover lastly.

Take a vitamin supplement. I take Healthy Accents Prenatal Vitamins (my baby years are long done, but I like what they offer).

And don't forget that a "normal" life can be had. And it might be just around the corner. Be careful what you eat, trust in yourself, live by your "gut" (literally).

Be patient with yourself and pamper yourself once in a while. There is a very healthy, productive, fun life out there - even with Celiac Disease.

glutenfreeinminnesota Contributor
glutenfreeinminnesota
Posted
  • Author

I have been on the diet for almost 11 months...I am hoping it goes away! I know it's stupid..and I constantly tell myself that but sometimes my mind just gets away from me...Thanks for the replies!! I will just keep telling myself I won't puke in public :) and since I never have...probably never will!! I will look into the prenatal vits too..thanks!!

glutenfreeinminnesota Contributor
glutenfreeinminnesota
Posted
  • Author

Now that I think about it, I did have crazy anxiety when I was on gluten. I would lie awake at night and think up scary situations that my family and I "might" get into one day, and what would I do about it. Or I would listen for every little sound in the house and think a burglar was trying to break in. Or I would over-analyze something my daughter said and blow it out of proportion and worry. Oh yeah, gluten can do 'wonders' to a person. I have been gluten free for 5 months and don't do that anymore. I also have calmed down about my claustrophobia although I don't think I'll go spelunking anytime soon!

How long have you been gluten-free? I would think it should ease up soon. I mean, so many people have brain fog with gluten, so why not heightened anxiety? It makes sense.

I have been thinking about putting my dog on a gluten free diet to see if I can ween him off his puppy-Prozac. He is highly anxious without and and impossible to live with. And gluten free dog food has to be cheaper than his pills! ;)

My dog eats "Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet"...it's gluten free and I didn't even know it, until I researched it after getting diagnosed. It's about $40 a bag for the biggest bag, thought I would share!! Their website is not working...but if you just google "Natural Balance Dog Food" something should come up about it :)

JAMR Newbie
JAMR
Posted

I have/had anxiety with my celiac. Research indicates that it is a known symptom. I would imagine that being unwell makes someone anxious and there is supposed to be some direct pathology on the neuro systems. Be positive, at least you have identified a culpprit for the way you feel, it takes time to address and you must always be vigilant. Your systems will normalise in time (I am gluten-free for 2 years and anxiety has dropped in most situations), do not be comlpacent with diet or the possibility that you react to other foods. Exercise has helped me as wel as meditation to improve my general mood but the biggest boost is knowing that I am dealing with and being able to address it. Good luck with it, you are on the way up.

Dixiebell Contributor
Dixiebell
Posted

Fish oil and b complex have helped me along with eating gluten free. I was on anti depressants on and off for many years and was able to taper off 3 mo. ago. I have always had terrible anxiety since high school, sweating, upset stomach and just a fear of the unknown. I don't have that anymore.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lucia Enthusiast
lucia
Posted

I had sudden and disabling anxiety for about a year and some before my GI symptoms started. It was bad enough that my doctor put me on an anti-depressant. As soon as I was gluten free for 3 months, I went off of the anti-depressant, and the anxiety has not resurfaced. The connection is very clear to me.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

I had sudden and disabling anxiety for about a year and some before my GI symptoms started. It was bad enough that my doctor put me on an anti-depressant. As soon as I was gluten free for 3 months, I went off of the anti-depressant, and the anxiety has not resurfaced. The connection is very clear to me.

I understand and felt the same. I think due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. With the lack of B-12, I had difficulty walking. Sentences began, but never completed. Forgetting where I was driving also a grave concern. And I would have cold sweats while walking on a dock or driving over bridges.

I still hate bridges, but everything has returned to normal.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,905
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Croissantl0v3r
    Newest Member
    Croissantl0v3r
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      Yes, you are right. Indeed, I’ve been feeling anemic since the beginning of this week, and today I felt horrible during a lecture at the university, I was trembling a lot and felt all my body incredibly heavy, so I had to come back home. I’ll do a blood test tomorrow, but I’m just worried about the possibility of it coming back negative. I’ve been eating two cookies in the morning as my only source of gluten over the past two weeks—could that affect the final result?
    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.